Bix is a unique two-CD tribute to Bix Beiderbecke. The first CD is fourteen tracks of music associated with Bix Beiderbecke. It is performed by Echoes of Swing quartet of musicians: Bernd Lhotzky, piano and music director; Chris Hopkins, alto saxophone; Colin T. Dawson, cornet & trumpet; and Oliver Mewes, drums. That group is supplemented by Shannon Barnett, trombone and vocals; Mulo Francel, c-melody sax and guitar; Pete York, drums, percussion and vocals; and Henning Gailing, double bass. Emile Parisien guests on soprano saxophone on “Jazz Me Blues.”
The second CD in this set consists of original music on which Bix performs. These musical numbers were recorded 1927-1928. Some are listed as Bix Beiderbecke and his Gang, Frank Trumbauer and his Orchestra, and Jean Goldkette and his Orchestra.
This unusual CD should appeal to the person just getting acquainted with Bix’s music as well as the established Bix fan. The current musicians didn’t try precisely to reproduce the music of the 1920s but to give their own interpretations. Liner notes by Bernd Lhotzky, in German and English, are also helpful in appreciating careful effort which went into this production.
Of special interest, I hope, will be the following arrangements by the current group and the Bix renditions: “At the Jazz Band Ball,” “I’m Coming Virginia,” “Thou Swell,” “Singin’ the Blues,
